Le Grand Courtage Pt. 2

In the last post, I reflected on Le Grand Courtage winery’s motto for courting life: embrace life, dream big, accept all invitations, and what it means to embrace life.  In this post, I’d like to offer some thoughts on DREAMING BIG.

I’m a bit hesitant to say anything about “dreaming big” because, hey, what’s there to say that hasn’t been said before?!   I’ve decided, though, to toss a thoughts onto the motivational pile of “dream big” sentiments because the fact is, it’s so easy to forget how essential it is to go BIG when dreaming. 

Years ago I came across this story and tucked it into a journal book.  Ironically, I came upon it a couple of days ago and I think it offers its own perspective on dreaming. . .

An old man approached the 19^th century poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti and asked him to look at his portfolio to see if his work showed potential talent.  After looking through several sketches, Rossetti very gently told the elderly man that the pictures had little value and showed little talent.

Disappointed but not surprised, the old man apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time but asked if the artist might look at a few more drawings done by a young art student.  As he looked at each creation, Rossetti became enthusiastic in his praise.  “These are very good; this young student has great talent and should be encouraged.  Who is the artist?  Is it your son?”

“No,” said the old man sadly.  “This is my work from forty years ago.  If only I had heard your praise then!  For you see, I got discouraged and gave up too soon.

World of Stories

William J. Bausch

This story reminds me that there are two often overlooked components to dreaming big. 

The first is that in order to dream big, you need to be kind to yourself––kind as you let the dream become a part of who you are without defining who you are.  Without kindness, you can’t nurture that BIG dream so as to let it give you life and energy, no matter if you receive discouragement or no encouragement.  Without kindness, you will walk away from your dreaming self.

While the story packs a surprise punch, I have reflected on which was sadder––that no one encouraged the painter when he was a young man OR that he allowed the lack of encouragement to seep into his soul and stifle him?  I think the real tragedy is that he could not muster enough kindness to offer to his own talent.

The other overlooked component to dreaming BIG is that if you are dreaming big then you have an obligation to encourage other big dreamers, and especially to encourage those who don’t dream big to dream big.

To be obsessed with your dream and not hear or see or sense the dreams of others turns you into a megalomaniac and not a dreamer.

To dream big is to embrace life. . .

If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, 

but for the passionate sense of the potential, 

for the eye, which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. 

Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. 

And what is so sparkling, so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!

Soren Kierkegaard